Popular passages

Page 230 - ... them before themselves and some others at their private houses, in a court of commission ; and there used to shuffle up a summary proceeding by examination, without trial of jury ; assuming to themselves there to deal both in pleas of the crown and controversies civil. "Then did they also use to inthral and charge the subjects...

Page 228 - For first their manner was to cause divers subjects to be indicted of sundry crimes ; and so far forth to proceed in form of law ; but when the bills were found, then presently to commit them ; and ' nevertheless not to produce them in any reasonable time...

Page 228 - Kings do more easily find instruments for their will and humour than for their service and honour, he had gotten for his purpose, or beyond his purpose, two instruments, Empson and Dudley ; whom the people esteemed as his horse-leeches and shearers : bold men and careless of fame, and that took toll of their master's grist.

Page 230 - Then did they also use to inthral and charge the subjects' lands with tenures in capite, by finding false offices, and thereby to work upon them for wardships, liveries, premier seisins, and alienations, being the fruits of those tenures, refusing, upon divers pretexts and delays, to admit men to traverse those false offices, according to the law. Nay, the King's wards, after they had accomplished their full age, could not be suffered to have livery of their lands, without paying excessive fines,...

Page 231 - ... giveth forfeiture of goods ; nay, contrary to all law and colour, they maintained the king ought to have the half of men's lands and rents, during the space of full two years, for a pain in case of outlawry.

Page 199 - This young prince he thought these servants would look upon, though not upon himself; and therefore, after that by some message by one or two of them, he had tasted of the Earl's consent; it was agreed that these four should murder their master, the lieutenant, secretly, in the night, and make their best of such money and portable goods of his, as they should find ready at hand, and get the keys of the Tower, and presently let forth Perkin and the Earl.

Page 319 - Last of all, he said that they were thinking of destroying Lord Robert's wife. They had given out that she was ill ; but she was not ill at all ; she was very well, and was taking care not to be poisoned...

Page 287 - Come hither, little recorder. It was told me that you would be afraid to look upon me, or to speak boldly; but you were not so afraid of me as I was of you, and I now thank you for putting me in mind of my duty, and what should be in me.